This thesis is about how systems thinking might contribute to the successful management of change (MOC). The motivation is the increasing importance of MOC in an environment where competition and internationalisation of markets are ever intensifying: organisations either "change or die", yet MOC suffers adversely with unacceptably high failure rates. A critique of MOC literature shows that current MOe methodology is characterised by reductionist approaches with a diversity of confusing and contradictory suggestions and recipes. This is seen to be impoverished where different types of organisational change are interacting. All these suggest that MOC methodology itself needs to be improved and a systemic approach is more appropriate. In search of methodological underpinnings for proposing a systemic approach to MOC, literature on systems thinking is reviewed, indicating that systems approaches, especially critical systems thinking, are potentially powerful to inform the development of MOC. Nevertheless, important questions are raised about applying systems ideas to MOC. Further research is needed. And this has been done by triangulating data, theory and method to develop a fuller understanding of systems perspectives and their relevance to MOC. By combining MOC and systems thinking together in a theoretically informed way, a systemic MOC framework is suggested and revised. This framework is seen to provide a characterisation of MOC by identifying the conceptual components, a coherent theoretical structure by specifying and ordering the relationships between these components, and a way of helping understand and manage the diversity in organisational change systemically. This framework is theoretically underpinned and applied to a case study where different types of organisational change and their interactions are surfaced. The outcomes firmly support the view that MOe is characterised by different types of organisational change and their interactions, for which systemic approaches are more appropriate; thus the systemic MOC framework developed is seen to be useful in helping understand and manage organisational change more effectively. The findings are critiqued within the study, and from this come out the conclusions, and recommendations for future research.

This thesis has two distinct research threads. One thread examines the effectiveness of technology support on the performance of focus groups. Unlike previous research, the work described in this thesis addresses the fundamental issue that groups are social systems, and that comprehensive measurement of the effectiveness of group activities requires assessment of both the task-oriented and social aspects of the group activity. In this research, four different communication modes are used to compare group effectiveness. The second research thread in this thesis is the use of Systems Thinking, and specifically Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), as the framework for inquiring into the effects of technology support on group effectiveness. The strategy in this thesis for developing and evaluating hypotheses extends the general descriptions and guidance in the literature on using SSM for hypothesis testing. Systems thinking also provides the basis for examining the prevailing ???profile deviation??? view that the better the fit between the group task and the technology support the greater the group performance. Using the six perspectives of fit developed by Venkatraman (1989), the most common GSS models and other models developed to examine Task-Technology Fit (TTF) are analysed. The results show that group performance models are most often tested from a ???profile deviation??? perspective and TTF models developed from a profile deviation perspective claim to have predictive and descriptive validity for assessing the level of group performance. To assess whether an SSM based approach can improve the predictive and/or descriptive analysis of the impact of technology support on group work, a field experiment was conducted at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Twenty focus groups of officer cadets assessed their military training program using a GSS in one of four communication modes. The results showed little predictive or descriptive support for the profile deviation perspective of TTF when measuring the group???s overall effectiveness, task effectiveness, participant satisfaction or group relations. The alternative ???gestalt??? perspective, operationalised in this research by using SSM, provided a more comprehensive approach to examining the effectiveness of technology support for group work.

In response to criticism on the concept of "unlearning", we suggested that unlearning on an individual level should be defined as the reduction of the influence of old knowledge on cognitive and/or behavioural processes. In this article, we apply a systems thinking perspective on this definition to explore how far this kind of unlearning can possibly go and what happens if this process is inward-directed, i.e. affects the cognitive and behavioural patterns that define who we are. We take a knowledge perspective on the concept of the self and suggest that unlearning could trigger a disequilibrium, which in turn, enables a deep learning process and guides us to what is referred to as ideal or best version of the self. This does not only have implications for the individual level but it can initiate fundamental change processes in organizations.

Overview: A global shortage of over 7.2 million health workers poses a threat to service delivery particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa bears a quarter of the global burden of disease; yet, it only has three percent of all health workers. Maldistribution and migration both to urban and international destinations pose persistent challenges to service delivery particularly to rural and remote populations. In Kenya, the health human resources are mostly concentrated in urban areas, and in some cases as high 70% of the health workers are serving only 20% of the population. Literature to date, particularly in the context of Kenya, has focused on doctors and more recently nurses. There has been a gap in analysis in exploring mid-level cadres such as clinical officers, a cadre of non-physician clinicians. Research objectives: The objectives of the research were to: 1) conduct a contextual analysis of human resources for health in Kenya; 2) understand the migration perspectives of Kenyan health professionals including doctors, nurses and clinical officers through an online survey; 3) explore the role of mid-level health worker cadre of clinical officers as a promising practice for Kenya. The thesis is presented in three papers congruent with the three research objectives. I interrogated these areas at a macro, meso and macro level using systems thinking theory. Findings: The first paper found significant developments in the policy context of managing health professionals in Kenya all of which have improved the working conditions for health professionals. International migration was found to have decreased over the past decade and was not deemed be a policy priority by government and development partner stakeholders. Health professional representatives, on the other hand, asserted that they continue to be disgruntled with the current situation and would not hesitate to migrate given the opportunity. The second paper found that the factors that discourage health professionals from staying in Kenya are similar to those available in the literature and include: dissatisfaction with remuneration, governance, working conditions and living conditions. Among health professionals considering migration, few had made short-term plans to leave. Family ties and fear of the unknown were found to be strong factors for continuing to work as health professionals in Kenya. Job security was found to be high in the government while recruitment agencies were not found to play a significant role in migration decisions of health professionals. The third paper found that there was general support for the scale of up clinical officers to enhance the Kenyan health workforce. Barriers to scale-up included resistance from medical doctors, who felt that clinical officers were not competent enough to handle complicated cases, and a lack of employment opportunities given a surplus of about 3,000 unemployed clinical officers in Kenya, who could potentially fill in the health workforce gaps. Conclusion: Overall policy developments have been implemented since 2007 presenting a promising future to the management of human resources for health (HRH) in Kenya. Although few health professionals are making concrete steps to migrate out of Kenya they continue to be dissatisfied with the current living and working conditions. Maldistribution and overall shortages of health professionals continue to hamper service delivery to vulnerable rural populations. Mitigating factors include the potential of scaling up the clinical officer cadre particularly through the surplus of 3000 unemployed clinical officers, a process that requires sufficient political and professional will. A holistic multi-level approach to health system planning is crucial to ensure that any new investments are well coordinated and involve an overall scale-up of health professionals.

abstract: Childhood obesity has been on the rise for the past decade, and it has been hypothesized that students' food choices may be influenced by easy access to food outlets near their schools that provide unhealthful options. But the results of recent studies on the relationship between the food environment around schools and student weight status are mixed and often contradictory. Most studies have used measures of weight and height that were self-reported by students, or have relied on data from a relatively small sample of students. I examine the association between weight status among school students and the food environment surrounding their schools using professionally-measured, student-level data across the full school-age spectrum. De-identified data were obtained for over 30,000 K-12 students in 79 public schools located in four New Jersey cities. Locations of alternative food-outlets (specifically, supermarkets, convenience stores, small grocery stores, and limited-service restaurants) were obtained from commercial sources and geocoded to develop proximity measures. A simplified social-ecological framework was used to conceptualize the multi-level the association between students' BMI and school proximity to food outlets and multivariate analyses were used to estimate this relationship controlling for student- and school-level factors. Over twenty percent of the students were obese, compared to the national average at 17% (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012). On average, students had 2.6 convenience stores, 2.9 limited-service restaurants, and 0.1 supermarkets within a quarter mile of their school. This study suggests that easy access to small grocery stores (which this study uniquely examines as a separate food outlet category) that offer healthy choices including five types of fresh vegetable, five types of fresh fruits, low-fat dairy, and lean meats is associated with lower BMI z score and lower probability of being obese for middle and high school students. This suggests that improving access to such small food outlets may be a promising area for future investigation in obesity mitigation research. Also, this study separates students of pre-schools, kindergartens and elementary schools (neighborhood schools) from that of the middle and high schools (non-neighborhood) schools because the two groups of schools have different neighborhood characteristics, as well as open-school and bussing policies that result in different levels of exposure that students have to the food outlets around the schools. The result of this study suggests that the relationship between students' weight outcomes and food environment around schools is different in the two groups of schools. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Sustainability 2013

nÃo hà / A felicidade sempre foi discutida pela filosofia ao longo da histÃria da humanidade, influenciando a forma de viver e organizar as mais diferentes sociedades. Nos Ãltimos anos, o estudo acadÃmico sobre o tema vem crescendo exponencialmente nas mais diversas Ãreas do saber. De tal modo que, o objetivo principal desta pesquisa à levantar, caracterizar e analisar a produÃÃo especÃfica sobre felicidade e polÃticas pÃblicas. Para tal fim, realiza-se uma pesquisa bibliogrÃfica sobre felicidade/bem-estar subjetivo e polÃticas pÃblicas, a partir de obras indexadas em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais e outros mÃtodos complementares, permitindo assim identificar as principais obras e pesquisadores. Analisa-se entÃo tal literatura a partir da perspectiva do pensamento sistÃmico e do referencial teÃrico selecionado, a fim de gerar uma visÃo holÃstica do conceito de felicidade: o sentir, o pensar e o agir. O resultado à um mapeamento atualizado e crÃtico deste campo de estudo ao caracterizar a produÃÃo acadÃmica existente nas dimensÃes epistemolÃgica, ontolÃgica e metodolÃgica. Constatou-se que o tema da felicidade nas polÃticas pÃblicas acompanha o recente crescimento exponencial do estudo sobre felicidade, representando, contudo, uma pequena parcela deste universo. Predomina-se os autores e centros de pesquisa de origem anglo-saxà e a economia como principal Ãrea do conhecimento. A interdisciplinaridade à a marca das obras analisadas, alinhando-se, em ordem de impacto, a economia, a psicologia, a filosofia e a sociologia. As experiÃncias ainda sÃo escassas e inconsistentes de sistematizaÃÃo, em sua maioria. Apesar disso, considera-se que a literatura e as experiÃncias prÃticas desenvolvem-se a passos largos e com credibilidade cientÃfica suficiente para agregar elementos a uma perspectiva mais Ãtica e abrangente de desenvolvimento e de avaliaÃÃo de polÃticas pÃblicas. Palavras-chave: Felicidade. Desenvolvimento. Pensamento sistÃmico. / Happiness has been always discussed in philosophy throughout the history of humankind, influencing the way we live and organize the most different societies. In recent years, the academic study on the subject has grown exponentially in the most diverse areas of knowledge. Such that the main objective of this research is to raise, characterize and analyze the specific production on happiness and public policy. For this purpose, we make a research over literature on happiness/subjective well-being and public policy, from articles indexed in databases of national and international data and other complementary methods, allowing to identify the major works and researchers. Then such literature is analyzed from the perspective of systems thinking and the selected theoretical framework in order to generate a holistic view of the concept of happiness: Seeing, Knowing and Doing. The result is an updated and critical mapping of the study of this field by characterizing the existing academic literature on the epistemological, ontological and methodological dimensions. It was found that the subject happiness in the public policies is accompanying the recent exponential growth of hapiness studies, representing, nevertheless, a small portion of this universe. Predominate the anglo-saxon authors and research centers and the economy as the main area of knowledge. The interdisciplinary approach is the hallmark of the analyzed works, aligning to them, in order of impact, economics, psychology, philosophy and sociology. Experiments are mostly still rare and inconsistent systematized. Nevertheless, it is considered that literature and the practical experiences have a fast developmet with enough elements to a more ethical and comprehensive overview of development and evaluation of public policies.

Precious and base metal mining projects can serve as a stepping-stone in moving the mining industry towards achieving compliance with a scientific-principled definition of global socio-ecological sustainability. Using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development to assess the current reality of mine project development has resulted in identifying gaps between current best practices and a desired vision of sustainability constrained by science based principles. These gaps provide opportunities for sustainability driven innovation. Evaluation of mining project phases and their impacts on ecological and social systems using the four Sustainability Principles highlight specific opportunities to create value for social, economic and ecologic systems. Companies choosing to develop mining projects using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development can expect to achieve many business benefits, including improved reputation, increased transparency and stakeholder trust. Strengthening these aspects will provide robust support to companies as they manoeuvre to define their role in a sustainable society. This thesis examines how current processes for mining projects can be developed to support a successful transition into a sustainable society.

This paper examines the relationship between tour operators and their existing tourism destinations. The intent is to help the tour operators plan strategically for building the sustainability of their destinations. A Framework for Strategic Sustainability Development, based on scientific consensus, was used to structure this work. Interviews with tour operators and tourism experts gave practical insight complementing the literature review and case studies analysed during the research. The key findings were the need for tour operators to: consider a whole-systems perspective; cooperate with the tourism destination to build a common vision of success and a clear understanding of sustainability; and to prioritise their actions based on achieving the vision. From this the authors proposed guidance notes to assist tour operators in addressing these barriers. The paper concludes that tour operators can play a major role in building a sustainable society while perpetuating the tourism industry. In order to do so their actions must be chosen and managed correctly. This involves cooperation with the destinations throughout the strategic planning process and for all involved to be on the same page in terms of the end goal, a sustainable society.

One of the key challenges in information and communication technologies for socio-economic development (ICT4D) is that the contribution of ICT to development is difficult to describe and assess. This is particularly true when looking beyond the immediate context of an ICT4D project, to its impact on the larger social system within which the project is introduced. This problem can benefit from a systems approach. Systems thinking is concerned with the performance of the total system, when changes are made to a part of the system. Systems thinking recognises that the performance of a subsystem relative to its own goals does not necessarily lead to increased performance of the larger system. However, in the field of ICT4D, systems approaches are seldom used, and appropriate ways to describe and assess a social system are lacking. The study aims to contribute theoretically as well as empirically to the social systems body of knowledge in ICT4D. A particular social systems approach or framework is developed, based on structuration theory and autopoiesis. The framework is attractive because it provides a way to describe and assess the sustainability and state of development of the total system. The theoretical component of the thesis concerns the development of a social systems framework. This is done in a conceptual study that draws on systems literature and social theory. The empirical component concerns the application of the systems framework in an ICT4D case study. A descriptive, longitudinal case study is performed in a rural settlement in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Data is collected by means of interviews and participant observation during several visits to the settlement. Data analysis is done making use of the concepts in the systems framework. The result of the data analysis is a description of the larger social systems where the ICT4D project is implemented, as systems served, and the ICT4D project, as serving system. By studying the mutual influences between the serving system and systems served, the contribution to socio-economic development of the serving system is assessed. The study’s research contribution is to indicate how a social systems framework can be used to assess an ICT4D project’s contribution to the socio-economic development of the social systems it serves. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Informatics / unrestricted

Abstract This dissertation focuses on the information use in the bachelor’s theses at Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UASs, polytechnics). The study was carried out as a multiple case study based on qualitative data consisting of a sample of bachelor’s theses and research literature. The approach is oriented towards theory building. The study was motivated by earlier research findings about the complex and discursively controversial nature of the Finnish UASs. An approach based on structuralist semiotics and a typology of systems was employed to support the qualitative data-driven analyses. The following types were found: (i) structure-driven, (ii) those emphasizing students’ unique situations, and (iii) reflective combinations of the two. Several strategies related to each type were identified. A model including eight levels was formed proceeding from dichotomies in meaning and issues of agency, to the information use typical of the two main genres, research or practice based thesis, and finally, to the means of manifesting them in textual blocks. The model introduced in the dissertation can be applied in the guidance of thesis processes and in thesis-like project approaches. Writing a thesis appears as a unique episode. The insitutional processes appear as recurring loops in the life span of the UAS. The guiding of the thesis process is manifested as case-by-case interventions combining unique making and institutional routines. The problems encountered by the actors of the thesis processes form potential targets for interventions. The results indicate that the present views on the relevant actors related to the thesis process are too narrow, if they only comprise the student, the teacher and the representatives of project partners as recognized actors. The problematic issues in information seeking and use indicate that the personnel of the library should also be included in the actors of thesis processes. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimus tarkastelee tiedonkäyttöä ammattikorkeakoulun opinnäytetöissä ja esittää mallin tiedonkäytön ilmiöiden konteksteista. Tutkimus on toteutettu teoriaa luovana, aineistolähtöisenä laadullisena monitapaustutkimuksena. Kirjallisuutta luetaan tutkimuksessa yhtenä aineistoryhmänä. Tutkimuksessa käytetään aineistolähtöisen lähestymistavan tukena strukturalistisen semiotiikan klassisesta perinteestä täydennettyä generatiivisen kulun mallia. Opinnäytetyötoiminnan lähtökohtia jäsennetään myös kolmijakona objektivistisiin konemaisiin systeemeihin, yksilöllistä tilannetta painottavaan näkemykseen ja näitä yhdistäviin systeemirakenteisiin. Tutkimusta motivoivat osaltaan tulokset ammattikorkeakoulun kompleksisesta ja diskursiivisesti jännitteisestä luonteesta, joka heijastuu opinnäytetyötoimintaan. Tutkimus on yksittäisistä ammattikorkeakouluista ja niiden yhteenliittymistä riippumaton. Aiempi vastaava tutkimus ammattikorkeakoulun opinnäytetyötoiminnasta on ammattikorkeakoulun henkilökunnan tekemää. Aineistosta on tunnistettu tiedonkäytön ilmiöitä, jotka on jaoteltu tiukkarajaisia järjestelmiä tavoitteleviin, kunkin opinnäytetyötilanteen ainutkertaisuutta korostaviin sekä informaatiokäytäntöihin liittymisen dynamiikkaa hyödyntäviin. Tiedonkäytön ilmiöitä mallinnetaan 8-tasoisena rakenteena edeten merkityksen läsnä- tai poissaolon dikotomiasta toimijuuteen, tekstilajin tiedonkäytöllisiin ominaisuuksiin ja näiden tuottamiseen tekstijaksoissa. Mallia voidaan soveltaa opinnäytetöiden ohjauksessa ja hanketoiminnassa. Opinnäytetyön tekeminen ilmenee ainutkertaisena elämäntapahtumana. Teettäminen on ammattikorkeakoululle toistuva rutiini ja tilaajalle ainutkertaista tai rutiinia. Ohjaaminen on tapauskohtaisia interventioita, liittymisiä tekemis- ja teettämistoimintaan. Tiedonkäytön rakenteita ja ongelmia on syytä käsitellä mahdollisina interventiokohteina ammattikorkeakoulun opinnäytetyötoimintaan ja tietokäsityksiin. Tutkimuksessa tunnistetut ongelmat tiedonhankinnassa ja -käytössä osoittavat, että kirjaston henkilökuntakin tulee käsittää opinnäytetyön toimijaksi.